Training device for the muscles of the pelvic floor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a training device, for the muscles of the pelvic floor in women, comprising a flexible main body ( 1 ), for introduction into the vagina and which has a compression piece ( 1 ) with a spherical working surface ( 2 ). According to the invention, an substantial improvement in the training effect can be achieved, whereby the compression piece ( 1 ) is defined by two annular constrictions ( 3, 5 ), connected axially on one side to a stop section ( 4 ) with a stop surface and connected axially on the other side to a retainer section ( 6 ) to which a display is fixed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a training device for the muscles of the pelvicfloor of women.

2. The Prior Art

It is well known that for women sexual fulfillment in coitus is largelydependent on the state and control of the muscles of the pelvic floor.Various attempts have been made to train these muscles by means ofdevices which are introduced into the vagina. In this context diverseproblems have arisen which have not be solved satisfactorily with theknown devices and apparatus. On the one hand such devices should permitand encourage the active and conscious moving of the muscles, whilesimultaneously providing the possibility for the woman to control ormonitor the training situation. The particular aim of the training is toenable the woman to consciously and selectively tense and relax muscles,since studies have shown that without relevant training, about 50% ofall women are not able to identify the muscles of this region fromverbal instruction alone. On the other hand, such devices should meetstrict hygienic requirements even when used in the home, and still beaffordable.

From WO 03/089071 A a training device is known which has a pear-shapedmain body. It has been found that this device cannot guarantee anoptimum training effect for the local muscles.

It is the object of the present invention to further develop such adevice in order to attain an improved effect while avoiding thedisadvantages mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes that the compression part be defined by twoannular constrictions which connect axially on one side to a stopsection with a stop surface and on the other side to a holding section,to which an indicator device is attached in turn. In this way the regionof the compression part having the largest diameter, i.e., theequatorial line, is farther distant from the stop surface, and themuscles can obtain a firm grip in the first constriction. Furthermore,it is thus possible to configure the stop surface with a large flatarea.

The device according to the invention permits training of the muscles ofthe pelvic floor in a simple and controllable manner. It is essentialthat insertion of the device is limited by the stop surface, whosedistance from the compression part is chosen such that the ball-shapedworking surface of the compression part is positioned exactly in thearea of the muscle groups to be trained. Since the vaginal wall willenvelop the working surface of the compression part on both sides of theequatorial line essentially symmetrically, a contraction of the muscleswill result in an inwardly directed deformation of the compression part,while no significant axial force will be exerted on the training device.The training device is gripped and meets the force exerted from outsidewith a corresponding resisting force whose strength depends on thepressure applied to the compression part. Working against this resistingforce produces the desired training effect, which strengthens therelevant group of muscles. When the muscles are relaxed, e.g. when thetraining session is finished, the device may easily be withdrawn andremoved.

It is an essential feature of the device that the indicator devicepermits monitoring of the exercises and progress in the trainingactivity in a simple way. If the muscles are correctly tensed, the mainbody undergoes a deformation causing a tilting movement of the indicatordevice, with an axial movement added in certain cases. By thesemovements the deformation of the main body can be registered in anoptical and tactile way, and the actual muscle contraction may beinferred.

It has been found to be of particular advantage if the working surfaceis essentially spherical. This will provide optimum geometricalconditions.

The training effect will be especially efficient if the axial length ofthe stop section is between 40% and 65% of the maximum diameter of thecompression part. In this context it will be particularly advantageousif the axial length of the holding section is between 30% and 60% of themaximum diameter of the compression part.

A particularly advantageous variant of the invention will result if theindicator device is configured as a withdrawable rod. It is especiallyadvantageous if the rod is held in an opening of the holding section insuch a manner that it may be shifted within certain limits. Whileefficiently serving to indicate muscular tension this will permit asimple design with low manufacturing costs.

As regards design simplicity and low manufacturing costs it isfurthermore of advantage if the main body is configured as a rubberbubble which is covered with a gliding layer, the gliding layerconsisting of loose fibres which are steeped in a gliding agent.

From the hygienic point of view it is of particular advantage if thetraining device is designed as a throw-away product.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to theembodiment shown in the enclosed drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a training device according to the invention, with the rodinserted in the device; and

FIG. 2 shows the training device of FIG. 1 with the rod withdrawn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The training device shown in the drawings consists of a main body 1 witha compression part 1 a having a working surface 2 on its outside. Inaxial direction the compression part 1 a on one side is followed by afirst constriction 3, which in turn continues to a stop section 4. Onthe opposite side of the stop section 4 the compression part 1 a isfollowed by a second constriction 5 adjacent to a holding section 6.

The compression part 1 a is essentially spherical and has a diameter D,which is adapted to the anatomy of the woman; the training device maythus be marketed in two or more sizes, e.g., one size for women who havealready given birth and another size for women who have not done so. Thetotal length L of the device is about 1.8 D, with the length L₁ of thestop section being 0.5 D and the length L₂ of the holding section being0.4 D. In an opening 7 of the holding section 6 a withdrawable rod 8(indicator device) is held in such a way that it can be axially shifted.The rod 8 has a first thickening 9 at one end, which is placed insidethe training device and prevents the complete withdrawal of the rod. Atthe other end of the rod a second thickening 10 is provided, which willpermit better gripping and holding of the rod 8 in a simple manner.

The use of the training device according to the invention will now beexplained. The training device is inserted into the vagina with the stopsection 4 foremost, until the stop surface 11 of the stop section 4touches in the region of the portio vaginalis cervicis. In this positionthe tunica muscularis of the vagina envelops the working surface 2 ofthe main body 1 and is distended radially outwards by the compressionpart 1 a. By tensing these muscles the compression part 1 a may becontracted against its deformation resistance, thus producing thedesired training effect. The tension of the muscles can be monitored viathe movement of the rod 8 caused by the deformation of the main body 1,the rod 8 thus acting as an indicator.

In the inserted state the second constriction 5 is situated in theregion of the vaginal entrance and the holding section 6 is completelyoutside the female body. This will substantially facilitate withdrawalof the training device.

The training device is made from a rubber bubble in order to enable asuitable deformation. Insertion into the vaginal region is eased by agliding layer, which is applied to the rubber bubble and consists of aloose layer of fibres steeped in a gliding agent. Preferably, thetraining device is a throw-away product in order to conform to strictrequirements of hygiene. Multiple use of the device in contravention ofhygienic rules is prevented or at least significantly impeded by thefact that the gliding layer is largely destroyed after first use, thusprohibiting further use.

The training device according to the invention permits specific trainingof the muscles of the pelvic floor and will thus lead to a significantenhancement of sensation during coitus. In addition, advantageouseffects are observed with regard to the avoidance of incontinenceproblems.

1. A training device for the muscles of the pelvic floor of women,comprising a flexible main body which is to be at least partiallyinserted into the vagina and which has a compression part with aball-shaped working surface, the compression part being defined by twoannular constrictions, the main body extending axially to a stop sectionwith a stop surface on one side of the compression part and to a holdingsection on an opposite side of the compression part, the holding sectiondefining an opening, and an indicator rod which extends through saidopening so as to be connected to said main body, said indicator rodbeing movable toward and away from said stop surface.
 2. The trainingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the working surface is essentiallyspherical.
 3. The training device according to claim 1, wherein an axiallength of the stop section is between 40% and 65% of a maximum diameterof the compression part.
 4. The training device according to claim 1,wherein an axial length of the holding section is between 30% and 60% ofa maximum diameter of the compression part.
 5. The training deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the main body is configured as a rubberbubble, which is covered by a gliding layer.
 6. The training deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the gliding layer consists of a layer ofloose fibers steeped in a gliding agent.
 7. The training deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the training device is designed as athrow-away product.
 8. The training device according to claim 1, whereinthe indicator rod includes enlarged ends.
 9. A training device for themuscles of the pelvic floor of women, comprising a flexible main bodywhich is to be at least partially inserted into the vagina and which hasa compression part with a ball-shaped working surface, the compressionpart being defined by two annular constrictions, the main body extendingaxially to a stop section with a stop surface on one side of thecompression part and to a holding section on an opposite side of thecompression part, the main body comprising a rubber bubble covered by agliding layer consisting of loose fibers steeped in a gliding agent, andan indicator device attached to the main body.